(AP) — The loss of Rohit Sharma’s wicket right on lunch failed to deny India’s growing control of the first test against England on the second day Thursday.
A rare bouncer from Ollie Robinson tempted Sharma, and it fell straight to Sam Curran on the backward square leg boundary.
A near three-hour opening partnership of 97 with Lokesh Rahul, 48 not out, ended and lunch was called. India trailed by 86 runs.
Sharma was out for 36 after facing 107 balls. He hit six boundaries.
England’s all-pace attack was disciplined as it tried to compensate for the dismal batting on the first day and a first-innings total of only 183.
Robinson and James Anderson continued to be the most probing, combining for 11 maidens in their 20.3 overs, so far.
But Sharma and Rahul were disciplined, too, and batted serenely from resuming the day both on 9 not out and India 21 without loss. They picked up in the second hour of the session as the bowlers flagged.
Sharma scored the first runs from the 24th delivery of the day when he stepped across to flick Robinson to the long leg boundary.
England reviewed a length ball outside Sharma’s off stump which brushed the Indian’s pad as he shouldered arms. Video confirmed it was missing the wickets, and England had one review left.
Rahul was untroubled reaching 48 after 124 balls, including eight boundaries.
He has Cheteshwar Pujara set to join him after lunch.
